Urgent Request for Help on Tuesday (8th of April) At Arlington National Cemetery

[JimAskew]

All,
I received this email request for support around midnight on Saturday and I just spoke with Ms. Fischer on her cell phone. Normally I would do this on a Pro Bono basis without hesitation but I have a major business meeting all afternoon tomorrow and cannot get away to do this.

So, if anyone in VA/MD close by to Arlington National Cemetery can help Ms. Fischer would be most grateful. She asked me to post this on POTN. She asks that if you can help to please call her on her cell phone at 303-522-4565.

Her original email to me is repeated below.

Thanks,

Jim

"Hello,

My 26 yr old cousin was killed in Iraq on Easter, and is being buried in ANC
on Tuesday at 3:00 PM (he was previously a member of the Old Guard and stationed there). I am trying to find a photographer to capture the ceremony, in order to have the memories preserved for his 1 year old son. I know it is incredibly short notice, but wondered if you would have any availability at all, or be able to recommend another photographer. Thank you for any reply.

Anna Fischer

anna@zayacom.com
jazzandjerz@yahoo.com

303.522.4565"

[3Turner]

Hopefully someone can do this for them.

[short5]

I just called and emailed her. I only got her message but left her contact information.

[JimAskew]

I just called and emailed her. I only got her message but left her contact information.

Short5,

Thank you.

Jim

[Killjoy]

Did she get back in touch with you? Were you able to take care of this for her?

[short5]

Did she get back in touch with you? Were you able to take care of this for her?

She did and she had hired someone. I think Jim may have helped her by directing her to some resources.I am happy she found someone but it would have been an honor to do that for the family.

[NeutronBoy]

that kind of work should be done for free.

[JimAskew]

that kind of work should be done for free.

I completely agree. I think that Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) has a list of volunteer photographers who charge little or no cost. I got the lady linked up with the ANC Public Affairs Office (PAO) and she found someone through them.

I am going to email her and offer to photograph the grave site for her and send her the photos. The family is from the Denver, CO area. At ANC the burials are in rows and it can take up to two-three weeks before the grave site area looks complete with all the sites closed and grass covered. I'll go back and do this again in the fall...ANC is really a beautiful place at that time of the year.

Like Zane said, it would have been an honor to do this...but my day job just got in the way on such short notice. I am doing a full Honors funeral at ANC on the 23rd of April...I have been scheduled to do this for over a month now and I have taken a day of vacation on that date. I have done two pro bono funerals at ANC and this will be my third. When I retire in a couple of years I am going to offer my pro bono photography services to the PAO folks at ANC on a regular basis. This is a small way of giving back to the service members of our Armed Forces who gave their life to our Country or spent their career in the service of our Country.

BTW...I am a retired Army Soldier with 21 years of active duty. My current job is my second career...Engineer planning. Someday, hopefully in the distant future, ANC will be the final resting place for my wife and myself.